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10 more classic Orlando Magic games to watch (1995-2009 edition)

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Tracy McGrady recorded one of the Orlando Magic's all-time best playoff performances. (Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter/ALLSPORT NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorialsports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.)
Tracy McGrady recorded one of the Orlando Magic's all-time best playoff performances. (Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter/ALLSPORT NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorialsports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.) /
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Orlando Magic Tracy McGrady gestures on the way down court during their game against the Detroit Pistons in game one of the Eastern Conference quarter-finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan on 20 April 2003. The Magic beat the Pistons 99-94. McGrady was the high scorer in the game with 43 points. AFP Photo/Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic Tracy McGrady gestures on the way down court during their game against the Detroit Pistons in game one of the Eastern Conference quarter-finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan on 20 April 2003. The Magic beat the Pistons 99-94. McGrady was the high scorer in the game with 43 points. AFP Photo/Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images) /

T-Mac’s Playoff Best

April 28, 2001: T-Mac Survives

89. 121. 38. Final/OT. 116

The Orlando Magic trailed a powerful Milwaukee Bucks team 2-0 in this 2/7 matchup in the first round of the best-of-5 series. Tracy McGrady had carried the Magic far. But it was clear the Bucks, a rival at the time for George Karl‘s derogatory comments about Doc Rivers, were simply a better and more complete team. The Magic lacked a second star.

Except in Game 3. That game, McGrady simply took over and did what made him such an incredible player. He dominated the game with his scoring, dropping in 42 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

It was not just him though. Dee Brown had a strong fourth-quarter run to give the team a boost and Pat Garrity hit some big shots in the third quarter to keep the game close. But to be sure, the ending was all McGrady at his scoring best.

This is one of the quintessential McGrady scoring performances. Perhaps THE quintessential McGrady scoring performance. It is all him attacking and scoring at will. If I want to show someone who has never watched McGrady play, I think I pick this game (or the one that will follow) as T-Mac at the peak of his powers.

Luckily, you can watch the full game in our Orlando Magic Video Vault.

April 20, 2003: Bow before the King

38. 94. 64. Final. 99

The first game of the 2003 Playoffs was a humdinger. The top-seeded Detroit Pistons faced off against the 8th-seeded Orlando Magic. These series are usually pro forma. Likely first-overall pick LeBron James was in attendance. This series seemed destined for McGrady to put on a show in an ultimately losing effort.

He made a very big statement in Game 1. And the Magic were not going to be some pushover for the Pistons. The old saying goes that the team with the best player in a series always has a chance to win. McGrady was one of the five best players in the league in 2003, and so the Magic had a chance.

He confirmed that with a 43-point effort in a Game 1 upset win. Suddenly the Magic looked like they could compete with the top seed and maybe steal the series. They would go up 3-1 in the series, but we do not have to talk further about that.

Back in Game 1, Detroit had no answers for McGrady. He was a force going to the basket and finishing with authority, creating one of his most iconic moments, a thunderous one-handed jam over Mehmet Okur.

The Magic now had belief they could win this series. And McGrady very nearly did.

The entire game is available in our Orlando Magic Video Vault.

April 22, 2008: Dwight Arrives

103. 81. 104. 38. Final

Dwight Howard’s first playoff appearance was a lesson. The Detroit Pistons had smart big men in Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace who knew every trick to frustrate the young and still raw big man. The experienced Pistons had to embarrass the young Magic.

When Howard returned to the playoffs in 2008, he made his mark. The first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, the Orlando Magic’s first playoff series victory in 12 seasons, was his coming-out party. The Magic were going to be a force and an up-and-coming team to be sure.

Howard’s breakout Playoff series is highlighted with Game 2 where Howard scored 29 points to go with 20 rebounds. That was par for the course in this series. Howard averaged 22.6 points and 18.2 rebounds per game.

The head-to-head battle with Chris Bosh — always must-see TV in 2008 — was worth it too. This was a series the Magic won fairly easily in five games. But more than that, this was the series where Howard became more than an All-Star.

Plus this game features a great Hedo Turkoglu game-winner.

The full game is available in our Orlando Magic Video Vault.

Next. Rewatchables: Orlando Magic dethrone Michael Jordan. dark

Enjoy the latest batch of Orlando Magic Classics on FOX Sports Florida. We will be providing commentary throughout these re-airs. Also be sure to dive into the Orlando Magic Video Vault for more highlights and classic games.